What to Do When a Death Occurs

Tell the staff that you have selected Blair-Mazzarella Funeral Home and call us. The facility and funeral director will coordinate the required release and next steps. Ask the facility whom your family should contact for personal belongings and medical or administrative questions.

If the person was under hospice or medical care and the death was expected, follow the provider’s instructions and call the funeral home. The hospice or attending professional will explain its notification and pronouncement process.

Call 911. Do not move the person or disturb the area unless emergency personnel instruct you to do so. Police, emergency medical personnel, or the medical examiner may become involved. After the appropriate authority has responded, call Blair-Mazzarella for funeral-home guidance.

Call Blair-Mazzarella before making independent transportation arrangements. We can discuss coordination with a local funeral home, transportation provider, public authority, airline, or receiving party. Keep the current location and destination information available.

International arrangements may involve consulates, airlines, permits, translated or authenticated documents, and destination-country requirements. Contact the funeral home promptly. Timelines cannot be guaranteed because outside authorities and carriers control important steps.

When possible, locate identification, preplanning records, cemetery information, military discharge papers, basic biographical details, and contact information for close family or clergy. You do not need to complete every task before speaking with us.